Natural Solutions for Pet Skin and Flea Problems

Thursday, January 07, 2010 by: Fleur Hupston
Tags: fleas, remedies, health news

(NewsTarget) Many pets are infested with fleas and ticks or have skin problems that can be difficult to treat. Conventional cures include the use of chemical based shampoos and flea repellents which can be toxic. Coat and skin problems can also be exacerbated by a bad diet. Try wholesome, preservative free food and natural pet products to control skin problems, allowing pets to enjoy a happier, healthier life.

Pets and Diet

A poor diet can contribute to a pet's skin problems and other health problems. Many pet owners don't even think about what ingredients make up their pet's packaged food.

Commercially produced pet food provides a convenient way for slaughterhouse offal and grains considered unfit for human consumption and waste products to be turned into profit.

This waste includes intestines, udders, heads, hooves, unborn babies and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts. Different chemicals are added to commercial pet foods to improve the taste, stability, characteristics or appearance of the food. Small wonder that fed regularly on a diet of this type of pet food, many animals suffer ill health, skin problems and may succumb to cancer at a young age.

Many responsible veterinarians have been advocating diets that are natural, wholesome and free of preservatives. Make sure pets eat a diet containing omega 3 oils for general well-being. Cook their food yourself so as to control what ingredients go into the food. Include brown rice, vegetables such as carrots or zucchini and squash along with protein such as minced beef, liver or chicken. Avoid raw pork because of parasites. For dogs, a large raw, organic beef bone is a good addition to the diet and will help to keep their teeth free of plaque and gum disease.

Khakibos Spray or Powder as a Natural Insect Repellent

Khakibos (Tagetes Minuta) is a very pungent smelling weed - most commonly found in Africa and South America. It is known to be a gentle, non-toxic yet effective method of controlling fleas and ticks.

In Southern Africa, Khakibos is dried and added to bedding or strewn in houses to deter insects and bedbugs. The plants are also dried and hung to keep away flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes. Many older folk in this part of the world relate stories of how they would cover their curtains and carpets with Khakibos in order to repel fleas and ticks.

Chemically based pet shampoos can aggravate an animal's skin condition. Natural products for pets made from Khakibos include sprays, shampoos and powders. They are relatively inexpensive and available online. Spray or powder may be used directly on the animal's coat or sprayed onto the animal's bedding.

Khakibos or Tagetes essential oil is extracted from the leaves, stalks and flowers of the plant.

http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oil...
http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-tagetes.htm
http://www.simplygreen.co.za

About the author

Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.